Here we go again. Another season, lots of new faces!
The dilemma continues; about whom to pick, whom to avoid and whom keep as bench fodder.
For many, the team template would most likely end up as
Goalkeeper: Ryan 4.5M (BHA), Button 4.0M (BHA)
Defenders: Robertson 7.0M (LIV), TAA 7.0M (LIV), Digne 6.0M (EVE), Kelly 4.0M (CRY), Lundstram 4.0M (SHU)
Midfielders: Salah 12.5M (LIV), Sterling 12M (MCI), Sigurdsson 8.0M (EVE), Fraser 7.5M (BOU), Dendoncker 4.5M (WOL)
Forwards: Wilson 8.0M (BOU), Jota/King 6.5M (WOL/BOU), Greenwood 4.5M (MUN)
One can also go for Jiminez 7.5M (WOL) or Haller 7.5M (WHU) or Kean 7.0M (EVE) and make any other combination possible for the forwards (3 players with a total cost of 19M); but Jiminez has tough fixtures whereas Haller and Kean needs some time to accomodate and prove themselves in premier league.
Purpose of this blog is to keep myself accountable. I built a team based on popularity – that’s a no brainer. If everybody loses then so am I.
Goalkeeper: Ederson 6M (MCI); McGovern 4m (Norwich).
Defender: Robertson 7.0M (LIV), TAA 7.0M (LIV), VVD 6.5M (LIV), Digne 6.0M (EVE), AWB 5.5M (MUN)
Midfield: B.Silva 8M (MCI), Perez 6.5M (LEI), Stephens 4.5M (BHA), Hayden 4.5M (NEW), Dendoncker 4.5M (WOL)
Forwards: Aubameyang 11M (ARS), Wilson 8M (BOU), Kane 11M (TOT)
I chose Ederson to think of him as a keeper for the whole season. Had to choose him instead of Allison because I wanted all 3 defenders from Liverpool; the liverpool trio, Digne and AWB completes my defense based on solely popularity (Teams selected by %). The forwards are also selected in the same way. But when you spend much on defenders and forwards, there is very little to do with midfielders. Still managed to bring in B.SIlva and Perez. However, starting season without Salah or Sterling can prove fatal but I decided not to. The decision was underpinned by two factors mainly: 1. Points per million calculation. 2. Flexibility in future transfers. This year I decided to stick on to a strategy and let’s see what happens.
I will let you know what happened to my team after GW 1. I will also make a comparison with the template team and see whether I did good or bad. Till then let’s say goodbye now.
P.S. you can also track my team live from here once the GW starts: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/114799/event/1/
The Last Call 